Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to providing a method for measuring signaling plane delay in a communication network using a probe session indicator to trigger logging of timestamps at network elements for centralized analysis at a network monitor system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for establishing a test protocol processor which identifies and removes predetermined messages from a network element port buffer. Subsequent to removal the test protocol processor may perform one or more of several actions according to the results of statistical calculations. These actions include allowing the message to drop, replacing the message after a delay, replacing the message after altering the payload of the message, and replacing the message after altering the message type. The disclosed autonomous self disrupting network element is particularly useful for providing a means to perform in situ field testing of network performance indicators under desired statistical conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for establishing a field deployable message compromiser which is connected between two network elements and identifies and removes predetermined messages from an incoming message stream. Subsequent to removal the test protocol processor may perform one or more of several actions according to the results of statistical calculations. These actions include allowing the message to drop, replacing the message after a delay, replacing the message after altering the payload of the message, and replacing the message after altering the message type. The disclosed field deployable message compromiser is particularly useful for providing a means to perform in situ field testing of network performance indicators under desired statistical conditions.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment uses geographical location information to assist the selection of the target cell during reconfiguration, handover and redirection procedures. This process involves defining a network geographical grid and building an associated database of captured data from the user equipment, such as radio measurements, and calculated KPI statistics per geographical location, and then using such data for making mobility and load-balancing decisions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for Data Plane Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network is disclosed for measuring node delays in a manner that allows latency to be apportioned to network elements. The method and apparatus for Data Plane Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network includes establishing a call session, propagating a probe session commencement indicator, capturing timestamps for incoming and outgoing packets associated with the call session at the network nodes, propagating a probe session stop indicator which causes the network nodes to cease collecting timestamps and then transmitting the timestamps to a Network Management System.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment uses geographical location information to trigger handover and redirection procedures. This process involves defining a network geographical grid and building an associated database of captured data from the user equipment, such as calculated KPI statistics per geographical location, and then using historical KPI statistics as the trigger for mobility and redirection decisions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for Round Trip Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network using a user plane probe session is disclosed for measuring round trip delays in a manner that allows latency to be apportioned to network elements. The method and apparatus for Round Trip Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network using a user plane probe session includes transmitting a loopback packet containing a probe session indicator and capturing timestamps of arrival and departure times at each network element traversed by the loopback packet, and then transmitting the timestamps to a Network Management System.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment uses geographical location information to assist the selection of the target cell during reconfiguration, handover and redirection procedures. This process involves defining a network geographical grid and building an associated database of captured data from the user equipment, such as radio measurements, and calculated KPI statistics per geographical location, and then using such data for making mobility and load-balancing decisions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for establishing a test protocol processor which autonomously intercepts success path protocol messages at a network element port buffer and substitutes a corresponding failure path messages to simulate the introduction of unexpected protocol messages into the protocol message flow from an external source to the network element under test. Subsequent to intercepting messages, the test protocol processor may perform one or more of several actions according to the results of statistical calculations. These actions include allowing the message to drop, replacing the message after a delay, replacing the message after altering the payload of the message, and replacing the message after altering the message type. The disclosed autonomous self disrupting network element is particularly useful for providing a means to perform in situ field testing of network performance indicators under desired statistical conditions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for establishing a test protocol processor which intercepts success path protocol messages at a network element port buffer and substitutes a failure path message to simulate the introduction of unexpected protocol messages into the protocol message flow from an external source to the network element under test. The disclosed self disrupting network element is particularly useful for providing a means to perform in situ field testing of a network element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for Data Plane Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network is disclosed for measuring node delays in a manner that allows latency to be apportioned to network elements. The method and apparatus for Data Plane Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network includes establishing a call session, propagating a probe session commencement indicator, capturing timestamps for incoming and outgoing packets associated with the call session at the network nodes, propagating a probe session stop indicator which causes the network nodes to cease collecting timestamps and then transmitting the timestamps to a Network Management System.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for Round Trip Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network using a user plane probe session is disclosed for measuring round trip delays in a manner that allows latency to be apportioned to network elements. The method and apparatus for Round Trip Delay KPI Monitoring in a live network using a user plane probe session includes transmitting a loopback packet containing a probe session indicator and capturing timestamps of arrival and departure times at each network element traversed by the loopback packet, and then transmitting the timestamps to a Network Management System.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to providing a method for measuring signaling plane delay in a communication network using a probe session indicator to trigger logging of timestamps at network elements for centralized analysis at a network monitor system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for establishing a field deployable message compromiser which is connected between two network elements and identifies and removes predetermined messages from an incoming message stream. Subsequent to removal the test protocol processor may perform one or more of several actions according to the results of statistical calculations. These actions include allowing the message to drop, replacing the message after a delay, replacing the message after altering the payload of the message, and replacing the message after altering the message type. The disclosed field deployable message compromiser is particularly useful for providing a means to perform in situ field testing of network performance indicators under desired statistical conditions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for establishing a test protocol processor which autonomously intercepts success path protocol messages at a network element port buffer and substitutes a corresponding failure path messages to simulate the introduction of unexpected protocol messages into the protocol message flow from an external source to the network element under test. Subsequent to intercepting messages, the test protocol processor may perform one or more of several actions according to the results of statistical calculations. These actions include allowing the message to drop, replacing the message after a delay, replacing the message after altering the payload of the message, and replacing the message after altering the message type. The disclosed autonomous self disrupting network element is particularly useful for providing a means to perform in situ field testing of network performance indicators under desired statistical conditions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for establishing a test protocol processor which identifies and removes messages from a network element port buffer. Subsequent to removal the test protocol processor may perform one of several actions including allowing the message to drop, replacing the message after a delay, replacing the message after altering the payload of the message, and replacing the message after altering the message type. The disclosed self disrupting network element is particularly useful for providing a means to perform in situ field testing of network performance indicators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for a field-deployable protocol message interceptor for insertion between network elements, to autonomously intercept success path protocol messages from a first network element and substitute corresponding failure path messages for transmission to a second network element, to simulate the introduction of unexpected protocol messages into the protocol message flow from the first network element to the second network. Subsequent to intercepting messages, the test protocol processor may perform one or more of several actions according to the results of statistical calculations. These actions include allowing the message to drop, replacing the message after a delay, replacing the message after altering the payload of the message, and replacing the message after altering the message type.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for establishing a test protocol processor which intercepts success path protocol messages at a network element port buffer and substitutes a failure path message to simulate the introduction of unexpected protocol messages into the protocol message flow from an external source to the network element under test. The disclosed self disrupting network element is particularly useful for providing a means to perform in situ field testing of a network element.